Boat Review for Savage Bluefin (older, late 1960's to early 1970's model)
I consider our family's Savage Bluefin to be a bullet-proof little boat. Built in the late 1960's or early 1970's (and up until about 1980), this popular fibreglass monohull boat is reliable and was built to withstand the test of time. She's somewhere 35-40 years old surely, but the hull is still sound and provides a comfortable ride in varying sea conditions. When she's waxed and polished there's still some shine in the gelcoat and her styling (although dated) still makes her a beautiful boat that attracts looks.
We have had our Savage Bluefin for 22 years now. In that time we have replaced the twin Chrysler 85 horse power outboard engines with a new Mercury Saltwater Series 140 horsepower outboard engine. The transom has been replaced in recent years, but it had a very long life. Same with the aft decks which started to go a bit soft. And these are probably the two big-ticket items to look out for in the older Savage models.
The Savage Bluefin is a practical boat. At 21 feet long it is not too big to trailer about and not too small to handle the chop out on the bays. Our boat has the cabin, but no hardtop as seen on some models - particularly the boats that have the inboard engine and stern drive configuration. These older Savage boats at least have reasonable sidedecks - unlike many newer boats which have dispensed with them. The gunwhales are about waist-height on me (I'm 5 feet 11 inches tall) and this is great for fishing and climbing into and out of the boat.
The hull has a nice shape considering its vintage. It has moderate deadrise for a relatively shallow draught and rocks and rolls a little, but the chines certainly temper the rolling motion to a more comfortable sway. We've been in some choppy seas with this boat, both at anchor whilst fishing and underway at various speeds. Amazingly, I find it to be a dry boat that is very seaworthy and balanced very well. The hull rides well and the slight bow flair helps deflect spray outward and away from the cabin windows.
The cabin a a good size, suits the appearance of the boat and still allows for plenty of space out back for the helm and fishing room. There is a vee-berth up forward under the boat's foredeck, which can be accessed by lying on your back and opening the forward hatch. You can sleep two people snugly in there. I like the Savage logo on the cushions - a nice finishing touch. The hull here is insulated by a decent layer of carpet which on many Savage Bluefin boats will probably show its age. Removing the centre cushion reveals a manual flush toilet and macerator pump.
Entering the cabin and to port there is a plumbed plastic sink with fawcet fed from a stainless steel fresh water tank also on the port side underneath the cabinetry. There's plenty of storage space with cupboards underneath. To starboard there's a handy plastic bench top ideal for spreading maps and charts or leaving personal effects. Underneath this is more storage space for lifejackets, tool boxes, tackle boxes and flares etc. All very simple, but effective and practical with little that can go wrong.
The cabin bulkhead provides wall-mounted interior cabin lighting to port and starboard, along with cup-holder storage. The cabinetry is a well-made varnished timber finished off with a darkened glaze which really suits the boat. Whilst you don't have head-height room in the cabin, there is room to move and plenty of room available to modernise the boat with conveniences such as a small refrigerator, a small television and DVD player for overnight stays. It's fine for overnight trips, which are always fun. Sliding side windows in the cabin and a screw-top vent in the foward hatch allow ventilation.
The helm station to starboard looks out over the boat's cabin roof, which has hand-crafted timber handles assisting anyone moving forward along the sidedecks and a centrally-mounted mast anchor light. The dash-mounted gauges are the original analogue ones that came with the boat and are angled so that you can read them easily whilst standing or sitting. The helm seating is provided by single leather-bound pedestal seats on either side of the cabin doors (which are those really nice old-fashioned varnished timber-slat doors!). Everything is within easy reach and access for servicing. The flat dash has room for as much fishing and technology gadgets as you want to splash out on, but too much will impair your sight forward.
When the throttle is opened, you might find it easier to get the best view forward by standing up as the bow pulls up. The Savage Bluefin hull has a smooth comfortable ride. The Saltwater Series Mercruiser motor cruises along at about 3,000 rpm. Fuel economy would vary little from newer boats of a similar size. The original stainless steel tank which was mounted centrally below the deck on our boat has been replaced with two smaller (removable) deck-mounted plastic tanks and we haven't measured fuel consumption with the newer Mercruiser engine. The Savage Bluefin is very solidly glassed and the weight might affect the figures, but I doubt she's heavy enough to drain much more fuel than the average modern boat.
Our boat does not have power steering, which certainly would be a nice addition. The old hydraulic steering is tight by today's standards and makes for a little bit more of a challenge when manouvering in tight spots - like boat ramps and marinas! We find trailering and launching the boat easy, although any decent trailer setup allows this these days. There's adequate brightworks - a good bowrail forward and side-mount rails at the stern for climbing onto the sidedecks or holding yourself steady when fishing. There's a cleat either side aft and fairleads forward with a stainless bollard central on the fordeck. The stainless steel was obviosuly a very good grade and 40 years on there's no sign of corrosion stains.
The 1970's Savage Bluefin was and still is a popular boat with a good reputation for being a sturdy little day fishing boat. Depending on condition they sell anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 with a trailer. Many would need attention to some apsect, but they are worth paying the money for if well maintained. The boats with hardtops are a good buy if you can get one. I'm not sure about the performance of the inboard models, but I'd always prefer a simple outboard setup on a boat this size anyway. They are a classic Australian boat and worth paying that little bit extra for if you can pick one up.
